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autumn dressing

My thoughts on what’s coming into the shops this Autumn/Winter 2025/6 season

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If you’re looking for something new to wear right now, I’ve viewed Hobbs and Boden websites to see what’s new in to their shops and online. I would say that there is something for everyone, but if you are searching in the next 3 months you will find the colours more suited to “Autumn” and “Winter” palettes (if you’ve been seasonally colour-analysed). That’s just how it goes at this time of year. However, if you’re a “Summer” or “Spring” don’t despair as I always maintain you can find your colours all year round, but you might just have to look that bit harder. Anyway, if you don’t want to do that, I’d love to help, so do contact me and challenge me to find you something fabulous.

Hobbs (hobbs.com)

If you like classic (timeless) styles and quality, they’ve got a houndstooth wool patterned jacket (£219) and houndstooth skirts (Dolly wool skirt £99 and Molly wool kilt pattern £99). Also I noticed the geo midi dress £179 in green and white (great colours for a “Winter”). However, if you’re not a fan of the neat, and you’d like something more frilly, don’t miss out looking at the Babbington blouse (soft pink) £99 in a satin material with lovely sleeve ruffle detail. There are also lovely satin flowy dresses (length is still long) in various colours. If you like something a bit plainer but with sparkle, view the sequin tweed dress £189. This would be good under a jacket taking you from office to evening concert or theatre. Don’t forget to view the Safia tweed slingbacks to go with it (£129).

I’m absolutely loving the purple peony blouse (£89) also in pale blue. And there’s a Peony dress if you’d like more of a shirt-dress ensemble. Also loving the purple wide leg (still “in”) Sami trousers £110 – very flattering for most legs.

And, if you want a gorgeous winter coat, and you’re a “Deep Summer” or “Winter”, take a look at the Cavendish Wool Coat £329 (also in black). If you’re an “Autumn”, there’s the Livia wool coat £379 which looks very stylish in three colours – I’ll take the brown (Vicuna) please as the other two colours look “Winter” ones to me. (If Hobbs see this, please don’t send me one as I have plenty of coats in reality. Just sayin’ – it looks fabulous quality.)

And, if you like your animal print, there’s a shorter coat (faux fur of course) in leopard print for £219. I’d say great for an “Autumn”.

Of course most of the colours would suit an “Autumn” or “Winter” palette, but if you’re a “Spring” there’s a gorgeous Aimee printed V neck ¾ sleeve top for £45.

Stripes are still in as a pattern choice, so if you like them, and they work for you – take a peek.

Stylish bags and belts in lovely colours that match their new season’s colours, as you’d expect from this brand.

Boden (Boden.com)

If you like polka dots, don’t miss viewing Boden’s new range. There’s 20% off new in at the moment, so the Cotton midi dress Christabel is £103.20 instead of £129.00 (see the website boden.com for the discount code) and the lace collar blouse £55.20 instead of £69 – in 3 colours – is selling like hot cakes! If you like less frill, but still want the polka dots, there’s the Pip Zip-up Ponte Midi Dress £111.20 instead of £139.00 (3 colours). Also from Boden you’d expect styles or patterns that aren’t your usual yet still work for a large proportion of the population. What I mean is something like the Chevron Stitch Midi Dress, £127.20 instead of £159. It’s striking but not too outlandish. Plainer stripes – no problem. View the Marcia Jersey Shirt Dress £95.20 instead of £119.00 in 6 colours. Or, how about Gingham pattern (also spotted in Hobbs). Knightsbridge Gingham Jacket and 7/8 trousers makes for an eyecatching suit, although maybe not for everyone!

If you like the check theme, they have a lovely, colourful belted mac: Lancaster £271.20 instead of £339.00 or the Cheltenham Trench Coat £287.20 instead of £359.00 in two colours.

Of course I know not everyone wants to buy new these days, thinking about the planet’s resources, so do check out Vinted.co.uk. Although the items may not be displayed quite as nicely as on the big brand websites, with a good launder they can come up to your requirements if they don’t appear to be already. Oh, and on the subject of Vinted, I’m giving a 30 minute run-through of how to buy and sell on there if you’re new to it. Do contact me for details if that’s something that would interest you.

SUMMARY

This 2025/6 season’s prints, materials and styles in a nutshell are:

PRINTS: Stripes, Checks, Gingham, Houndstooth, Animal print, Florals, Dots and Abstracts.
MATERIALS: Wool, silk, satin, jersey and cord.
LENGTHS of dresses: Midi or short.
TROUSERS: full length or 7/8ths and WIDE LEG is still in, as is slim fit too.

If you’re needing something for an upcoming event or party, please don’t struggle. I talk to so many women who say to me (after the event) I wish I’d known about you sooner!! [I could have saved them a lot of bother.] That’s what I love to do, so please do get in touch and you can “Dress Without Stress” with my help. If you’re wondering, I don’t just look at Hobbs and Boden – I view a range of brands, probably in excess of 30 and one of the spin-offs of working with me is that I will introduce you to some new brands for you I’m sure.

Fiona Mobbs
Your Colour & Style Consultant
07469 246722

Goodbye summer, Hello autumn

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In climate terms, 1st September heralds the autumn months (September, October and November). The amount of light in the UK reduces because of the way the earth is tilted towards the sun at this time of year for us in the UK, and so we go from summer to autumn. I wonder what this year’s autumn weather will be: mild and dry or wet and windy? Who knows with the way the world’s weather seems to be changing and less predictable.

Change

One thing’s for sure – this new month means change.

For me, this means changing my wardrobe, to suit the new cooler weather. I usually like to change over my wardrobe – rediscovering clothes I’d forgotten about – it’s almost like buying new without the expense! I can’t say they all fit me though! This is usually when I discover what’s happened with enjoying my social life too much, and I realise it’s time for wholesome home-made soup full of low calorie vegetables. Time for a re-set.

Now, this year has been not normal when it comes to my wardrobe! I would have usually brought out my summer wardrobe around one of the May Bank Holidays, but the weather seemed so cold I was wearing thick tights still into late June. And, here we are planning the cooler months already – it didn’t seem as if I had much time to wear my summer clothes and was reaching for warmer things more than usual this summer. So, instead of packing away my summer things and getting out autumn/winter, I’ve decided to do more of a half-and-half wardrobe. That way I think I’ll have every base covered.

It’s not just about colour

Normally in the summer months my wardrobe looks far more colourful (in lighter colours), and to help me decide what should go and what should stay will take more consideration if I’m going to split the weight of fabrics and colour choices. I will certainly be considering my layers more for this coming season, in case there is a warmer-than-expected day, and I can de-layer more quickly than if I’d worn an outfit without that in mind.

Comfort now seems key

A lot of people talk to me about “comfort” in their clothing choices nowadays. I think this has become a more important feature. So, the fabrics that have more stretch or give in them are great for our lifestyles today.

Sustainability is also key

Plus, a lot more people are thinking about sustainable fashion and are more aware of where clothes are coming from, what they’re made of, and how they are made. And, recirculating clothes for others’ enjoyment when they no longer serve ourselves is much more of a lifestyle choice. Of course I think that is an excellent idea, and will be considering joining the many who seem to think Vinted, eBay, or other opportunities to re-sell is a great way forward for all.

Embarrassment

When I say to ladies that I will review their wardrobe [for colour] as part of the colour analysis process, they often react with horror. After it has happened, 100% say it is the best part [as I’m bringing the theory to life for them]. I wonder if they’re worried that I will be judging how they have set up their wardrobe, or the clothes in it. If it is the clothes in it, my philosophy is that they wear those clothes, and everyone will be judging them then. Or is it that they have clothes in their wardrobe they don’t wear? I’d better allay that worry – I have clothes in my wardrobe I don’t wear … yet. My husband bought me a beautiful silk suit several years ago. I remember trying it on in the changing room but ever since I got it home I put on weight so have never worn it! That’s not the only piece. I also have a couple of dresses where I love them so much I’ve bought two sizes, so that if I do lose weight I will still be able to enjoy wearing them. There you have it, my confession.

Organisation

How to organise your wardrobe is equally personal, depending on how many items you have and the space you have. There are some practicalities that I can advise on, but mostly people utilise their available space wisely. Some clients love telling me how, after colour analysis, they have ordered their clothes in colour sequence. This is how I organise my wardrobe items too.

But the goal is …

But, the goal is not to have such an organised wardrobe that you only see this piece “going” with that piece. The goal is to use as many of your items as possible to get your wear out of them. So, it is about mixing and matching your wardrobe more, so that you need less. I find it fun and exciting when I try something with something it’s never been paired with before, and it seems to work. That is, though, when the colours, patterns and materials work together. That’s the secret of knowing what suits you (colour and style-wise) and choosing pieces that you know will go with multiple things you already own.

Acquiring new to you

I have said “acquiring new to you” rather than buying as people get their wardrobe pieces in many different ways nowadays. It seems very acceptable to shop pre-loved, “swish” [swap] or be gifted clothes.

So, “want” and “need” are different things! In the western world most of us are lucky enough to have more than we need, but this is changing with the economic situation, where people are “pulling their horns in” and the drive to be more sustainable in every way – including clothing – means the latest fashion trend is less desirable. Or is that just for me? Most of my clients acquire a few pieces each season that nods to the fashion – so they keep a current look, but haven’t totally overhauled their entire wardrobe.

New for this autumn

I often get told “I can’t find my colours” at x time of year. So, I decided to set up four Zoom calls of an hour each to help each season find their colours at this time of year. I will go through at least 8 common brands of clothing and pull out items in the correct colours for you. They will be able to be recorded for those who can’t attend, but for those who do attend we can discuss style (if time permits), current fashion, as well as colour. If you want to book your place, find them on Eventbrite here (for autumns); (for springs); (for winters); and (for summers).

So, what do you do?

I’d love to know whether you change your wardrobe over, and if so how are you planning to cope with the changing weather?

If you’d like some input from a self-confessed hoarder [I won’t demand that you get rid of a lot of your favourites, but I will help you think about wearing them differently] then please get in touch.

Fiona

Your [16 years’ experienced] Colour & Style Consultant

07469 246722